Ocella and Mood Swings: What Users Say

• Miz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 15, 2020

For Acne "Ok, so I want to start off by saying I was prescribed Ocella, but was given by my pharmacy a generic version of it. I was a little uneasy and nervous to take it because my previous experience with another birth control (Tri Lo Sprintec) was horrible! I broke out so bad all over one side of my face and chin and experienced the worst mood swings in my life. However, with Ocella, it has been smooth sailing. I’m barely starting my third pack, and my face has gotten so much better. I did gain about 5 pounds since being on this BC, however, that could definitely be from a lifestyle change. I would suggest a healthy diet/exercise as a good solution. I realized the pounds aren’t hard to lose if you eat right and run. For BC use, I wanna say it’s working because I haven’t gotten pregnant, but I don’t wanna jinx it. So, with that being said, good luck, ladies, I wish you the very best. May the odds be ever in your favor."

• pin...
• February 2, 2017

For Birth Control "I LOVE this pill! I was on Jolessa for 4 years and always had constant spotting and bad acne, Sprintec for 4 months and had spotting and awful mood swings and periods, but Ocella is absolutely perfect. I've been on it for 3 months now, and it's cleared up most of my acne. I've had no spotting and no periods, and I've lost 8 pounds! No mood swings, either. I would definitely recommend that anyone who is considering this pill give it a try. Plus, mine is only $9 a month! For the work it does, it is awesome. I cannot speak on effectiveness for pregnancy prevention as I use it to skip periods and am not sexually active."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 12, 2012

For Birth Control "I've been on Ocella for about 4 months now, after being on Microgestin for 4 years. I don't have too many complaints with either, although I will say that my skin is far clearer on Ocella than it ever was on Microgestin. My periods on Ocella are quite light and last only 4-5 days; cramps are usually mild. No headaches, nausea, mood swings, or noticeable change in sex drive, which seem to be a problem for a lot of other women. Also, I actually dropped a couple of pounds after starting Ocella with no lifestyle or diet change. My only concern is that I do have a history of ovarian cysts, which Microgestin effectively quashed; only time will tell whether or not Ocella causes any change. I'm 23 years old, otherwise healthy."

• Lol...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 11, 2019

For Birth Control "Ocella is my second birth control that I've tried in my life. The first one I took gave me acne, and it stuck with me even after I got off of it! So when the time came to get back on one, I was terrified something bad would happen. But Ocella is awesome!! No acne, no irregular periods, no rashes or anything weird, and no weight gain. The only downside is that when I first took it, I was a raging you-know-what, but you just have to learn to control your mood swings better. Other than that, I LOVE Ocella for the fact that it doesn't give me acne or make me gain weight."

• Anonymous
• January 27, 2010

For Menstrual Disorders "I took this medicine for a year and just switched. I had many negative symptoms that started with severe nausea every night about an hour after taking it. For the first three months, my periods got lighter for a few months and then went back to heavy. I did always get my period on the exact day I was supposed to, but throughout the whole year, I was VERY emotional and at times felt as though I had no control over myself. This was my main pushing factor to switching. I WANT ME BACK! I just want to say that I understand (and hope others do too) that my body acts differently to birth control than others and just want to let everyone know that not all medicines work for everyone. If this does not work the way you want, try something new. BE HAPPY!"

• Anonymous
• November 11, 2009

For Birth Control "I started out on Yasmin but had to switch to Ocella since I have no prescription coverage. Between the two, I was on them for over 2 years. In that time, I gained 20 pounds. After I switched to Ocella, while I was taking it, my moods were level, but the first day without the pill, I felt completely out of control of my emotions and on an emotional roller coaster to the point of having to leave work a few times, which is not me at all! Once I got my period, it was better, but I didn't look forward to the next month. After a crazy month of breakthrough bleeding, emotional ups and downs, and feeling like I was going crazy, I asked my doctor to switch me to something else. My sister had the same symptoms within a month or two, and so did friends."

• YP2...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 24, 2021

For Birth Control "Favorite birth control of all time! I originally switched to Ocella when my insurance quit covering Yasmin, and I’ve been on it for 10 years now! After 10 years, I started having some brown spotting, so I may start to look elsewhere, but virtually no problems with anything on this pill. It makes me feel “normal.” I’ve had a really good experience with this pill! Period very regular and light, no mood swings, acne, or weight gain!"

• Jsz...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 9, 2017

For Birth Control "I have been taking Ocella for about a year now. It has controlled my breakthrough bleeding, but the last few months I've been experiencing extreme mood swings, depression, anxiety, anger/rage... I don't know myself. Friends/family notice too. I am stopping this pill today. I have a call in to my OB. I feel like I'm going crazy!"

• col...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 18, 2017

For Birth Control "I started taking this pill because everything else gave me cystic acne. At first, I loved this pill, besides the fact that it gave me terrible mood swings and no sex drive. I tolerated that part because it seemed like I was losing lbs and increasing my bra size, which I was happy about. But about a year into it, I started going through periods of what seemed like depression, lasting about 3 months at the longest. Two years into it, I'd gained about 10 lbs in 3 months (without any lifestyle change), and NOTHING I did would help me lose the weight. Finally, I decided to stop taking it 1 month ago, and I already lost 5 lbs, am 10 times happier, and my sex drive is back. Didn't get pregnant, but not worth the long-term side effects."

• cos...
• March 10, 2012

For Menstrual Disorders "I am 18, and I love Ocella. I feel like it's balanced me out. I used to feel depressed, moody, and irritable for the two weeks before my period, almost suicidal in the couple of days before it. Then my period would come full blast for the first two days, and I would be in so much pain that all I could do was scream. I couldn't work or go to school. I took a lot of pain medicine, so I was too high to function, and also could still feel occasional pain. Now, on Ocella, I felt the extreme pain for maybe an hour when my period starts, and then I'm able to take a normal amount of pain medicine and I'm fine to go to school. The mood swings before my period are very slight. I also use it as birth control. I do not feel a decrease in my sex drive."

• Lov...
• February 1, 2021

For Acne "I’m 25 years old, and I’ve been on Ocella for 6 months. I would take my pill every single night at 9 pm to reduce any side effects. I’ve been on birth control as a teen for acne and thought I’d try it again for acne and pregnancy prevention. CONS: This birth control has caused my acne to worsen, headaches, sensitivity emotionally (I don’t cry easily, by the way, but with this birth control, I would cry easily), and lowered my sex drive. I gave it the benefit of the doubt to stick it out to see if my acne would clear up. In my case, the acne cleared up on my forehead but moved from my forehead to my cheeks. The acne Ocella has caused are red pimples that are painful but not cystic because they have a white head. I wouldn’t ever break out on my cheeks but mainly on my forehead and jawline. PROS: works well for skipping periods, no breakthrough bleeding. No nausea. No weight gain. Fuller breasts. Prevents pregnancy for my husband and me."

• Pba...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 4, 2014

For Acne "Prescribed Ocella for PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), which can cause severe cystic acne that I had. Have been on it for 10 years. It was a miracle, acne is gone. To prevent the mood swings and acne flare-ups during the inert week each month, I had my OBGYN write a prescription for 3 months straight. Now I only have my period and mood swings 4 times per year instead of 12. Other pills caused anxiety attacks, I have felt most normal on this pill. The downside is I have no libido, but I am 40, so I guess I should expect some decrease at my age anyway."

• Bee...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 23, 2015

For Birth Control "Not a huge fan. I started taking Ocella about 9 months ago only as birth control. It was my first experience being on the pill. Good: NEVER GOT PREGNANT! Meh: I went up a full cup size (C to a D, but I already have a small frame, so I didn't celebrate). Bad: It gave me terrible nausea, headaches, and migraines. I started having awful mood swings and felt like I was always lashing out. Period didn't change, I still had an extremely heavy flow for at least a week with little to no spotting before or after and said goodbye to too many pairs of cute panties. Worst of all, it brought a horrible bout of depression that I'm still dealing with. I recently switched to another birth control with lower estrogen, so hopefully it goes better this time."

• Ano...
• November 4, 2016

For Birth Control "Mild nausea when I first started, but that has gone away. Cleared my skin a lot, which was a surprise, and so far, I've grown two cup sizes. No weight gain or loss, and allows me to completely skip my period by starting a new pack rather than taking placebos. Only downside is mild mood swings, but nothing unmanageable. Definitely better than Tri Previfem."

• Anonymous
• December 11, 2009

For Birth Control "I LOVE OCELLA! I was on a generic form of Seasonale and it was HORRIBLE. I had the worst depression/mood swings ever and breakthrough bleeding EVERYDAY. So I switched to Ocella and love it. Acne hasn't really cleared up and I do have some weight gain, but my eating habits aren't the best either, so I won't blame it on that. I don't like that the price went up, but I'm not going to switch because I feel so normal now and never want to experience anything like my first birth control. I definitely recommend Ocella!"

• Ale...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 6, 2017

For Birth Control "I take Ocella to help control my PCOS and as a birth control. It's done a good job of regulating my period and as a birth control. However, I've experienced many mood swings and depressive-like symptoms, as well as more nausea and tenderness in my breasts. It does what it needs to do, which is why I'm reluctant to switch, since it is one of the best birth controls to regulate my PCOS symptoms."

• tok...
• September 18, 2016

For Birth Control "I hate this pill, it's the second birth control I have been on, and I can't wait to switch. I have been on Ocella for 6 months, and all 6 months have been terrible. I've been gaining weight, which makes me extremely depressed, and I've had really bad mood swings. I am usually a calm, easygoing person, but ever since I have been on this pill, every little thing irritates me or makes me mad. My doctor also assured me this pill would make my period shorter and lighter... no... not at all. However, I have not gotten pregnant, so it works in that regard."

• Osb...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 3, 2015

For Birth Control "I had a great experience on Ocella. My insurance does full coverage of it for me, so it's free every month, huge plus! I was also prone ever since my first period, which was pretty late. I would skip months at a time and then have terrible cramps, periods, and awful moods. Prescription Midol couldn't even provide me with relief. I got on a BC that caused me to gain weight even though I was dieting and exercising, and I stopped it. I then, a few months later, got on Ocella. I have my period every month, and it lasts about 4 days. It's pretty heavy with minimal cramps. I haven't gained weight, but I can't seem to lose any either, but that's not really a problem for me at this time. No out of the ordinary mood swings, sickness, or tiredness."

• lau...
• February 8, 2017

For Menstrual Disorders "I'm a lesbian, so I don't take this to prevent pregnancy, but because my periods were lasting two weeks before. Pros: my periods are regular and lighter, and my skin is completely clear. Cons: I originally gained around 15 pounds (which I have since lost), and I have no sex drive whatsoever. My breast size also increased from a D to a G, which I guess could be seen as a positive or negative. I personally find it frustrating. I am also very emotional, but I think that's just part of my personality and unrelated to the birth control."

• Anonymous
• April 24, 2012

For Birth Control "It wasn't a bad birth control other than the mood swings and anxiety. Six months into it, I started to have a really hard time breathing, chest pain, and swelling of my arms and legs. I checked out side effects, and these are some of the more severe ones. I took myself off of it a week ago, and I feel so much better, I'm less anxious and moody, and the pain and swelling."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 14, 2016

For Birth Control "Starting in elementary school, my acne was horrible. At age 13, it morphed into a rare form of cystic acne. Came back a couple of years after the first bout was defeated. Currently just 18, and have been on Ocella since mid-August. Since being put on Ocella, my acne has decreased immensely and stayed as regular types of breakouts rather than the cystic variety. Haven't experienced any major side effects, although I am more prone to getting emotional over the sweet, mushy-gushy stuff. At first, my sex drive was higher (even though I've never actually acted on it), but that has calmed down now. My periods are a bit lighter and are slightly more predictable down to the start and end days. I would definitely recommend this birth control."

• Ton...
• October 11, 2010

For Birth Control "I'm 23 years old and started birth control on Ortho Tri-Cyclen. I stopped for about a year or so, then when I went back to the GYN, she put me on Ocella. I haven't ever had problems with my period, but it did lighten it up for me quite a bit. I've been on it for about 2 years, and it has just recently brought me from a 5-day period to a 3-day period. I was a bit surprised, but I don't mind at all! I have never detected any differences on and off birth control, except it's easier to pinpoint when things will happen throughout the month. I usually get a very mild acne breakout right before, as well as some cramps, which don't last very long. I have occasional emotional breakdowns, but they are so rare that I don't really contribute it to Ocella."

• Anonymous
• January 9, 2010

For Birth Control "I've been on Ocella for about 8 months now, and it's been decent, but I am looking for a new birth control. I'm 26 years old and have used several different pills before, including Alesse and Lo-ovral. I found out I am allergic to synthetic progesterone (norgestrel and alike) in virtually every birth control available, which is why I switched to Ocella. Ocella has done the job as far as preventing pregnancy, but I have had mood swings bad enough to start taking Wellbutrin, I've gained some weight, and my sex drive is terrible. The mood changes and the huge sex drive decline are the reasons why I will be changing again. I'm also worried about all of the warnings on Yaz/Ocella/Yasmin and the high incidence of strokes associated."

• Anonymous
• August 8, 2011

"I have been taking Ocella for 7 months now. At first, I felt very sick about an hour after taking a pill, so I had to eat something every time I was taking it, however, I didn't gain any weight. On the contrary, I have lost some, weird I know. Nausea went away after the first cycle, my period became lighter, I don't have bad cramps anymore or before period acne. My issue is terrible mood swings right before and when on my period. As some of you were saying, I feel insane. I can't control my emotions. Also, recently I started feeling fatigued. I feel tired all the time, almost depressed, especially right before my period. I have never acted this way before."

• Sco...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 14, 2017

For Birth Control "I've been on birth control since I was 16, now 22. I've tried 3 birth controls before Ocella. All previous ones had breakthrough bleeding, mood swings, and one gave me out-of-control yeast infections. That's when I switched to Ocella: zero acne, I skip my period, no breakthrough bleeds, no weight gain besides 3 pounds and a little bloating every so often. Best part: no pregnancy scares for the last 2 years. Love the protection and stability it's supplied! I will say I've experienced intermittent anxiety on it, might try another kind if it continues. Hope this helped. Worth a try, it's kept me safe, happy, and acne/pregnancy free."